Summary
On August 11, 2011, a Robinson R22 (N62JF) was involved in an incident near Titusville, FL. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The private pilot's incorrect manipulation of the engine mixture control which resulted in an inadvertent engine shutdown.
The two certificated rotorcraft pilots were conducting a ferry flight. According to both pilots, the helicopter was on approach to land for a refueling stop when the airline transport pilot flying asked the private pilot to apply carburetor heat. The private pilot inadvertently pulled-out the engine mixture control with the mixture control guard, which resulted in an immediate total loss of engine power. The helicopter was at an altitude between 300 to 400 feet, and the airline transport pilot entered an autorotation, while the private pilot attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart before the helicopter struck trees, a fence, and then nosed over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and both the main and tail rotor drive systems.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA448. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N62JF.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The private pilot's incorrect manipulation of the engine mixture control which resulted in an inadvertent engine shutdown.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The two certificated rotorcraft pilots were conducting a ferry flight. According to both pilots, the helicopter was on approach to land for a refueling stop when the airline transport pilot flying asked the private pilot to apply carburetor heat. The private pilot inadvertently pulled-out the engine mixture control with the mixture control guard, which resulted in an immediate total loss of engine power. The helicopter was at an altitude between 300 to 400 feet, and the airline transport pilot entered an autorotation, while the private pilot attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart before the helicopter struck trees, a fence, and then nosed over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and both the main and tail rotor drive systems. Both pilots reported there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. The private pilot reported 220 hours of total flight experience, which included about 54 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA448